The LIFE REFOREST project begins
In July 2018 the project, funded by the EU under its LIFE programme, will begin. “Prevention of erosion and restoration of flora in areas of burnt forest through an innovative fungal technosol solution”, LIFE REFOREST, will be led by the CETIM Technology Centre.
The project is funded by the European Commission under the LIFE programme, within the priority area of Environment and Resource Efficiency. The objective of this project is to demonstrate a new strategy to mitigate soil loss associated with post-fire episodes in forest areas by applying a technosol based on organic residues inoculated with fungal species (mycotechnosol) to prevent soil erosion and promote the natural regeneration of burnt areas. The project coordinator is the Multisectoral Research and Technology Centre (CETIM), which specialises in Eco-Bio Technologies (the area involved in the project), Advanced Materials and Digital Industry. LIFE REFOREST will last for 36 months and has a total budget of €1,577,648.
The LIFE REFOREST project will feature an International Consortium made up of entities from Spain and Portugal, where, in addition to CETIM, the Forestry Association of Galicia (AFG), the Portuguese Forestry Association (FORESTIS), Hifas da Terra, Indutec Ingenieros, Tratamentos Ecológicos do Noroeste (TEN TECNOSUELOS) and the University of Aveiro will also take part.
Therefore, the project will be developed in two of the European areas most affected by wildfires, in north-west Spain and Portugal, where the LIFE REFOREST strategy will be validated through the implementation and validation of two pilot areas. Likewise, the project will contribute to the development and implementation of European environmental policies by providing a new solution to achieve the environmental and climate objectives set by the European Union, in accordance with the Thematic Strategy on Waste, the Forest Strategy and the Directives related to the pollution of water bodies.
On 31 July 2018, the kick-off day for LIFE REFOREST will take place at CETIM, where all the partners will review all the project actions and plan the steps to be taken in the coming months.
